5A boys high school basketball: Intimidated? Jags just say no, win 5A title
WEST VALLEY CITY — West Jordan wasn't interested in being a footnote in Lone Peak's historic dynasty.
The Jaguars knew all about Lone Peak's bid Saturday night to win a third-straight state title and a fourth in five years — a feat not accomplished since the '50s. The players simply refused to be intimidated by the seemingly daunting task in front of them.
Playing with a big heart for a fallen ex-teammate and unwavering poise, West Jordan accomplished what no one outside of its own city limits probably thought was possible — it beat Lone Peak 63-52 to claim the 5A state championship.
"Everyone has always been intimidated to play them, and I think we went into the game ready to play them," said West Jordan guard Jordan Weirick. "We didn't want them to get the three-peat. We wanted to get the ring for ourselves."
The Jaguars won their first state title since 2001 by outshooting and outrebounding Lone Peak, as well as harassing reigning Mr. Basketball Tyler Haws into one of the worst shooting nights of his career.
"I know nobody really believed we could win today, but we felt like we were supposed to win. We've had an emotional locker room all week.… I'm just so proud of my guys," said West Jordan coach Scott Briggs.
Joe Montgomery, a reserve player for the Jaguars last season, was involved in an accident earlier this week and passed away during West Jordan's semifinal win over Davis. The emotion further united an already tight team.
"I think we came out and played for Joe Montgomery. Even though he wasn't the most talented player, he was the hardest worker by far of anyone. We just came out and played like him, and just played in his memory," said Weirick.
West Jordan closed the game on a 15-4 run to claim the title, something Briggs hoped might happen. Lone Peak has rarely been tested in the fourth quarter this season, and Briggs challenged his team to keep it close to see how the Knights responded. They didn't handle the situation well at all.
With the game tied 48-48 with 4:33 remaining, West Jordan went ahead for good on one of Reyes Gallegos' four 3-pointers. Mason Sawyer extended the lead to 56-48 with five straight points over the next two minutes, while Lone Peak came up empty on four straight possessions.
Gallegos finished with 22 points, but his biggest points came in the third quarter.
Both teams came out red hot, with the score level at 19-19 after the first quarter. Lone Peak stayed hot in the second quarter, opening up a 31-20 lead with three minutes remaining in the first half, and appeared poised to pull away.
Recent comments
I"m bout to win us another championship!!!!!!!!
David Hunsaker | May 1, 2009 at 10:26 a.m.
I met a few of the LP parents during the tournament and found them to...
WJ fan | March 13, 2009 at 1:22 p.m.
congrats WJ. im glad you and West won. way to put it down for the...
majik#24 | March 13, 2009 at 11:49 a.m.
- N.Y. Senate rejects gay marriage 8:47 p.m.
- Robotic hand controlled with thoughts 8:46 p.m.
- Mitchell said to share LeBaron traits 8:36 p.m.
- White House open to jobs legislation 8:34 p.m.
- Sixers' losing streak reaches 8 8:29 p.m.
- No. 11 Tennessee holds off ETSU 8:21 p.m.
- Illinois erases Clemson lead 8:20 p.m.
- Boykins comes up big for Wizards 8:18 p.m.
- Hawks hit 15-year high in points 8:16 p.m.
- Grammy nominees: Swift, Beyonce 8:15 p.m.
- Why is Y. ignoring spew of hatred?
- Unbeaten BYU takes trip to Logan
- Mitchell said to share LeBaron traits
- BCS just keeps dirty laundry on spin
- Teen girl killed in Kaysville crash
- Utahns growing tired of Bennett
- 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
- Orem pair getting a rep for crime
- MWC awaits bowl destinations
- Simple candies for the holidays
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
913 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
483 - Hall reprimanded by MWC
404 - Max Hall issues apology
391 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
358 - Utes won't respond to Hall
277 - BYU says Hall incident resolved
244 - Why is Y. ignoring spew of hatred?
225 - 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
176 - Religion in politics is tiresome
154
I arrived at the Spectrum a little more than an hour before tipoff and...
So party bosses pick who gets to run as the GOP candidate. I have been...
typical BYU remark. It's obvious that both Robert Johnson and Stevenson...
Utah is by far a faster team than BYU. I definately think Utah was the...
This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. The pool will be biased...
This is an invitation to all fans who think they know what high school...
It would be dishonest to dispute the remarks that were made. I'm sorry the...
'...while the law continues to endorse marriage as the preferred basis for a...
We need a forum where this issue may be throughly debated. On one side would...
Josh, Yes it is true that Matheson is a decent member of congress and has a...
For all those responsibility dodgers, who have unprotected sex and then want...


